Standalone WVC1 codec released! [Archive]

zambelli

26th May 2006, 03:21

Please note that the WMV9/WVC1 encoder DMO included in the WM Format SDK 11 (and WMP11) package replaces this beta codec on the Windows XP platform. The beta codec continues to be available for Server 2003 customers, but is generally not recommended for XP users anymore.

After weeks of delays, I'm happy I can finally write this: the long awaited standalone WVC1 (Windows Media Video 9 Advanced Profile) codec package is available for download.

You can download the install package directly from:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/4/c/34c55eb4-a89b-418c-8192-9c941a4e5596/wvc1dmo.exe

The package includes:
wvc1dmoe.dll - WMV9 Advanced Profile Encoder DMO BETA
wvc1dmod.dll - WMV9 Advanced Profile Decoder DMO
WMCmd.vbs - Updated WME9 command-line encoder script

Install requirements:
Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 SP1
Windows Media Format SDK 9.5 or Windows Media Player 10

You can't install this update over WMP11 (XP or Vista) - nor do you want to. WVC1 encoder is already a part of WMF11 runtime.

The package also includes an update to WMCmd.vbs, the first since Windows Media Encoder 9 Series was released 3.5 years ago. The update to WMCmd.vbs will only be installed if you already have WME9 installed on your system! It will overwrite your existing WMCmd.vbs in your WME9 folder, so if you really really really want to keep the old one for some reason - make a backup of it prior to installation.

If you have already installed WMP11 beta and would only like to get the WMCmd.vbs update, I have made it available as a separate download:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=974126

Finally... If you have questions or comments regarding either this install package or this specific encoder DLL (wvc1dmoe.dll) - please post them here. If you have comments and questions about WMV9 AP encoding in general, they might be better suited for this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=111275) thread.

Sharktooth

26th May 2006, 03:30

That sounds definatly good :)

Valeron

26th May 2006, 04:23

good news~
i haven't installed the WMP 11 beta cause it's a high load stuff, my system is out of resource to deal with that bigware

last but not least, considering it ship couple of day after the WMP beta, is the encoder dmo a newer build?

zambelli

26th May 2006, 04:43

last but not least, considering it ship couple of day after the WMP beta, is the encoder dmo a newer build?
By date, yes, but both releases were locked down around the same time so I don't think there are significant changes between them. You can safely install the standalone version.

leiming2006

26th May 2006, 06:17

Good job!
I'll try it.

I wonder if it can offer a funtion that encode files by 1-pass Bitrate VBR like realproducer.
2-pass encoder is quite good but it costs too much time.
I think it'll be better that CBR if the steam won't be used in the Internet.

zambelli

26th May 2006, 09:35

I wonder if it can offer a funtion that encode files by 1-pass Bitrate VBR like realproducer.
2-pass encoder is quite good but it costs too much time.
I think it'll be better that CBR if the steam won't be used in the Internet.
If you increase the size of the video buffer (default = 5 sec), you can make the 1pCBR mode act more like a 1pVBR mode with average bitrate. Try setting the video buffer to 60 seconds or maybe even 120 secs if your content is long (i.e. feature movie length). You'll probably get better quality out of 1pCBR.

killerhex

26th May 2006, 10:14

im reinstalling wmp 10 wmp11b is a resource hog

zambelli

26th May 2006, 11:26

im reinstalling wmp 10 wmp11b is a resource hog
Make sure you follow the uninstall instructions described in the WMP11 release notes.

killerhex

26th May 2006, 11:50

i did

diogen

26th May 2006, 15:52

You can download the install package directly from:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/4/c/34c55eb4-a89b-418c-8192-9c941a4e5596/wvc1dmo.exeWhen running the file it insists on SDK 9.5.
Runtime from WMP 11 beta didn't.
Does this mean the runtime wasn't actually the full/right codec package?

Diogen.

zambelli

26th May 2006, 19:36

When running the file it insists on SDK 9.5.
Runtime from WMP 11 beta didn't.
Does this mean the runtime wasn't actually the full/right codec package?
I'm not sure I understand your question. When WMP11 came out I said that everyone wanting to test the new WVC1 encoder but NOT wanting to install the full WMP beta will have an opportunity to do so with this standalone package.

foxyshadis

26th May 2006, 20:01

I get the same error on trying to install the codec package (requires WMF 9.5 SDK, will not install). Is that SDK even available yet? Wasn't last I checked.

diogen

26th May 2006, 20:32

It was probably my fault, I just run the wmfdist11.exe file from the WMP 11 beta distribution to get the codecs.
The only one difference I noticed (compared to WMP 11 install) was the unusable Pause button (always greyed out).

Is that SDK even available yet?I think it's available for 6 months or so.

EDIT: Have a look here.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/downloads/default.aspx

Diogen.

bond

26th May 2006, 21:05

You can download the install package directly from:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/4/c/34c55eb4-a89b-418c-8192-9c941a4e5596/wvc1dmo.exe

The package includes:[list]
wvc1dmoe.dll - WMV9 Advanced Profile Encoder DMO BETA
wvc1dmod.dll - WMV9 Advanced Profile Decoder DMOheya zambelli

i tried to decode one of the wmv9 ap clips with this decoder (its still the old one from 2005, is this meant to be that way?) but it doesnt work
in graphedit a graph is build which has file source -> asf icm handler -> wmv9 advanced profile decoder -> video renderer but when i push play i simply dont get a picture

any idea whats wrong?

edit: i also cant register the encoder!? "loadlibrary failed"

zambelli

26th May 2006, 23:46

Foxyshadis & Diogen :readfaq:

Install requirements:
Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 SP1
Windows Media Format SDK 9.5 or Windows Media Player 10

As you can see, this release is aimed primarily at XP users who want to try the new WVC1 encoder beta but don't want to install the full WMP11 beta, and Server 2003 users who can't install WMP11 beta anyway. You can't install this update over WMP11 (XP or Vista) - nor do you want to. WVC1 encoder is already a part of WMP11 runtime.

WMF 9.5 is the SDK that installs with WMP10. Uninstalling WMF11 beta and then re-installing WMP10 will re-install WMF SDK 9.5 too.

zambelli

26th May 2006, 23:52

i tried to decode one of the wmv9 ap clips with this decoder (its still the old one from 2005, is this meant to be that way?) but it doesnt work
in graphedit a graph is build which has file source -> asf icm handler -> wmv9 advanced profile decoder -> video renderer but when i push play i simply dont get a picture
Yes, the decoder is the same one as what's available from the codec server through WMP.
ASF ICM Handler? That seems unnecessary unless you've got VCM/ACM codecs handling the content of the ASF file.
When I render video in GraphEdit, I get the ASF source filter outputting raw video and audio directly to WM audio and video decoders.

any idea whats wrong?
edit: i also cant register the encoder!? "loadlibrary failed"
What WMF SDK version do you have installed?

bond

27th May 2006, 00:07

Yes, the decoder is the same one as what's available from the codec server through WMP.
ASF ICM Handler? That seems unnecessary unless you've got VCM/ACM codecs handling the content of the ASF file.
When I render video in GraphEdit, I get the ASF source filter outputting raw video and audio directly to WM audio and video decoders.hm ic, what is the name of this "asf source filter" and where do i get it (guessing that i dont have it already)

What WMF SDK version do you have installed?hm i realise none :/

i am using windows 2000, any chance to get this to work? like with a really standalone encoder/decoder? :D

zambelli

27th May 2006, 01:45

hm ic, what is the name of this "asf source filter" and where do i get it (guessing that i dont have it already)
hm i realise none :/
i am using windows 2000, any chance to get this to work? like with a really standalone encoder/decoder? :D
The latest WM Format SDK officially available for W2K is 9.0, which installs with WMP9 or WME9. You can try installing WMF 9.5 SDK (http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/f/d/9fdfb288-b4bf-45fa-959c-1cc6d909aa92/wmformat95sdk.exe)on Windows 2000, but I'm not sure you'll be able to. You might have to settle for 9.0.

I've been told there are features of the AP codec that require 9.5 SDK. Nobody around here has really tested the codec with older SDK runtimes, so I have no idea whether you'll run into issues if you force install WVC1 onto Windows 2000 with WMF 9.0 SDK. It's totally unsupported and untested - so you're on your own there.

bond

27th May 2006, 10:19

hm this sdk 9.5 is for windows xp only :(

are there any plans to make the codec available without needing any 70mb sdks, working eg on windows 2000? i kinda wonder why this all is needed. other codecs are available in files smaller than 1mb and work on all windows versions...

zambelli

27th May 2006, 11:23

hm this sdk 9.5 is for windows xp only :(
I figured it might be. WMF 9.0 is then the last one released for Win2000. Just install WM Encoder 9.0 and it'll install the WMF SDK runtime for you. If you force a WVC1 codec install on it (i'm sure you know how), the codec might work - I've never tried myself.

are there any plans to make the codec available without needing any 70mb sdks, working eg on windows 2000? i kinda wonder why this all is needed. other codecs are available in files smaller than 1mb and work on all windows versions...
How do you think those other codecs work? Most of them require DirectShow or VfW to work, right? When I say "WMV encoder requires WM Format SDK runtime version so-and-so", that's like saying "DivX encoder requires DirectShow runtime". Each codec is designed for a specific platform - WMV encoder DMOs just happen to be designed for WMF SDK.

The 70MB package I pointed you to was that big because I couldn't find a link to the much smaller runtime distro.

As for Windows 2000 support - that OS ended its lifecycle (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx)over a year ago. Mainstream support (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3071) expired last year too, which means MS doesn't plan to release any new products or major component updates for that OS. From this point on it's pretty much just basic maintainance for W2K.

bond

27th May 2006, 12:16

any chance to get a directshow version of the encoder/decoder?

Golgot13

27th May 2006, 13:50

It is possible to encode a elementary VC1 stream (*.es) to HD DVD
application.

I wait Windows Encoder Studio. I see it at NAB, nice but I need to test it
People can compare video encode with this tool (from Microsoft tool) and
Inlet video encoding (Fathom card, alone card to encode in HD VC1 in real time).

Golgot13

zambelli

27th May 2006, 21:51

any chance to get a directshow version of the encoder/decoder?
Technically, if you have WMF SDK runtime installed, you can use DMO encoders through DirectShow too. There's a whole set of DShow filters that gets installed with WMF SDK that allows wrapping most WMF objects in DShow.
I'm not sure why you're so opposed to installing WMF runtime. It's just another Windows multimedia SDK, much like DirectShow and VfW.

zambelli

27th May 2006, 21:53

It is possible to encode a elementary VC1 stream (*.es) to HD DVD
application.
A VC-1 bitstream is a VC-1 bitstream, so it's possible to write a tool that will extract the elementary stream out of a container such as ASF.

Cheech

29th May 2006, 04:00

Sorry for being a noob, but I think I'm missing something. When I try to open a avs file it tells me my Source 1's class is not registered. You mentioned something about plugins but I don't see an AVISynth plugin option to register. I am using XP x64, could this be why its not showing up under the plugin's list?

zambelli

30th May 2006, 04:41

DeathTheSheep

30th May 2006, 18:22

benwaggoner

30th May 2006, 18:56

It is possible to encode a elementary VC1 stream (*.es) to HD DVD application.
Not currently. FWIW, we're using ".vc1" for the extension for those.

I wait Windows Encoder Studio. I see it at NAB, nice but I need to test it. People can compare video encode with this tool (from Microsoft tool) and Inlet video encoding (Fathom card, alone card to encode in HD VC1 in real time).

It's still several weeks out. And yes, I'm even more frustrated than you that it's taking this long (I was probably the guy who demoed it for you at NAB).

The beta won't have elementary stream support, though. That'll be coming in a followup release later this year.

I'd love to hear more about what you're trying to do with HD DVD. In particular, what muxing tool are you using?

benwaggoner

30th May 2006, 19:01

Sorry for being a noob too (at CLI runnin'), but the readme says:
For usage help, just type from the command-line:
cscript wmcmd.vbs
Well, when I do that, there's so much info there that the MS-DOS window ends up cutting the first half of the documentation off. Is there a way to paginate the info, or to access individual components of the documentation at a time? Or better yet, is there an online version? Thanks.
It's actually the command prompt, not a MS-DOS window. DOS is, thankfully, long gone.

The simplest thing you can do is make your Window bigger. If you go to options (right-click on "c:\" icon in the upper left corner), you can set your Window Size Height. I use 85 on my 1920x1200 display. If you "modify shortcut that started this window" it'll always open in the new size.

Easiest way to paginate (revealing my UNIX-y background) is to type "|more" at the end. The "|" is the shift "\" key.

DeathTheSheep

30th May 2006, 19:48

Oh, thank ye very much, problem solved :D
OK, that aside, next question. I have the following commandline:
CScript.exe wmcmd.vbs -input test.mp3 -output test.wma -a_mode 3 -a_codec WMAPRO -a_setting 64_44_2_16

But when I start the encode process, command prompt reports: Start encoder failed with error -1072886846 The requested audio codec is not installed on this system. The WMA10Pro encoder works fine in 64kbps CBR mode and q25 vbr mode, but 64kbps bitrate-controlled VBR mode doesn't work. Am I doing something wrong?

mpgxsvcd

30th May 2006, 20:15

Oh, thank ye very much, problem solved :D
OK, that aside, next question. I have the following commandline:
CScript.exe wmcmd.vbs -input test.mp3 -output test.wma -a_mode 3 -a_codec WMAPRO -a_setting 64_44_2_16

But when I start the encode process, command prompt reports: The WMA10Pro encoder works fine in 64kbps CBR mode and q25 vbr mode, but 64kbps bitrate-controlled VBR mode doesn't work. Am I doing something wrong?

I get the same error in Windows Media encoder 9 when I try to use the new pro audio and the bitrate-controlled VBR mode.

DeathTheSheep

30th May 2006, 20:50

Yup, bug confirmed with WME9 here too :)

zambelli

30th May 2006, 23:30

Yup, bug confirmed with WME9 here too :)
Thanks for the bug report, guys. I have a local repro, so I'll take it from here. Thanks!

mike_lee

31st May 2006, 05:37

As for Windows 2000 support - that OS ended its lifecycle (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx)over a year ago. Mainstream support (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3071) expired last year too, which means MS doesn't plan to release any new products or major component updates for that OS. From this point on it's pretty much just basic maintainance for W2K.

God you sound like a Borg HaHa - Anyway thanks for the goodies.

.

zambelli

31st May 2006, 07:55

God you sound like a Borg HaHa - Anyway thanks for the goodies.
Well, just pointing out the information that's publicly available online. :)
Back to my Kool-Aid... :rolleyes:

mike_lee

31st May 2006, 13:11

I didn't get the *kool-aid reference so I googled Borg +kool-aid.
I didn't realize people referred to MS as the Borg, sorry didn't mean anything. But I used to play Everquest with some MS guys and maybe, during 15 hour camps in everfrost, the mentioned it.

*I still don't get that although it must have something to do with Jonestown. MS forcing everyone to commit technological suicide or something

DeathTheSheep

31st May 2006, 17:44

technological suicide
:o What the heck is that?

mike_lee

31st May 2006, 18:21

:o technological suicide: What the heck is that?

It's when you pass on the Betamax and opt for that snazzy VHS deck.

leeperry

31st May 2006, 22:28

any chance getting this thing to work in Vdub ? :D

Dayvon

1st June 2006, 00:08

It's when you pass on the Betamax and opt for that snazzy VHS deck.
LOL True that.:D

Cheech

1st June 2006, 01:14

Are you using 64-bit WME9? Are you using 64-bit Avisynth?
Yes. No. Ooops! I knew it was something stupid like that, I will try it out :)

zambelli

1st June 2006, 01:17

Yes. No. Ooops! I knew it was something stupid like that, I will try it out :)
64-bit processes can only use 64-bit DLLs. In the case of a 64-bit encoder, that means that only 64-bit codecs can be used to decode sources.

Cheech

1st June 2006, 01:24

Mmmk I installed the 32 bit version of WME and although I see a lot more choices for plugins, AVIsynth is still not one of them :(

zambelli

1st June 2006, 01:37

Mmmk I installed the 32 bit version of WME and although I see a lot more choices for plugins, AVIsynth is still not one of them :(
Because there isn't an Avisynth source plugin. Just specify "Both device and file" and point the Video and/or Audio inputs to the .avs file.
Or use the updated wmcmd.vbs for command-line encoding.

Cheech

1st June 2006, 01:43

Because there isn't an Avisynth source plugin. Just specify "Both device and file" and point the Video and/or Audio inputs to the .avs file.
Or use the updated wmcmd.vbs for command-line encoding.
Oh... Well in that case:
http://www.nonyaz.com/temp/images/thumbnails/random/SMALL_WMEEEE.jpg (http://www.nonyaz.com/temp/images/albums/random/WMEEEE.jpg)

zambelli

1st June 2006, 01:47

Oh... Well in that case:
Check again. You didn't quite follow my directions. :)

Cheech

1st June 2006, 01:55

Check again. You didn't quite follow my directions. :)
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, Got it now :P

zambelli

1st June 2006, 02:32

What the check the audio? I did both, then I tried them separately to troubleshoot, I just happen to take the screenshot when I was trying just the video.
Nope. I said "Both device and file". Your screenshot clearly shows "File" as the selected source.

Cheech

1st June 2006, 03:41

Nope. I said "Both device and file". Your screenshot clearly shows "File" as the selected source.
Ok, I got it working fine and dandy now, except for one little detail, the only thing I can't do is import AC3 audio, I tried using the NicAudio.dll plug-in in avisynth to load it. It plays fine in virtualdub, but in WME9, it says "The input media format is invalid" is this a known limitation with WME or should I pursue more help in another forum?

zambelli

1st June 2006, 03:57

Ok, I got it working fine and dandy now, except for one little detail, the only thing I can't do is import AC3 audio, I tried using the NicAudio.dll plug-in in avisynth to load it. It plays fine in virtualdub, but in WME9, it says "The input media format is invalid" is this a known limitation with WME or should I pursue more help in another forum?
How many channels is NicAudio outputting?

Generally people rely on tools like BeSweet to decode the Dolby Digital audio to WAV PCM. It's an extra step in the process, but you'll know exactly what you're getting before you encode.

Cheech

1st June 2006, 04:20

How many channels is NicAudio outputting?

Generally people rely on tools like BeSweet to decode the Dolby Digital audio to WAV PCM. It's an extra step in the process, but you'll know exactly what you're getting before you encode.
Humm, I deleted the ac3 test file I was using, I'm fairly sure it was 2. Converting it to wav is no problem, I just thought that approach would loose the extra channels if they had any.

Edit: I remade the ac3 file and it is indeed 2 channels, it was just a commercial I was using.

Cheech

3rd June 2006, 06:12

Hey zam, don't worry about that ac3 crap, I don't care about that anymore and I don't think you do either. I found a more important bug (or so I think). I used the -s_config switch to save my options because I wasn't sure how the weu file should be setup. Anyway it made the weu file like it should have, I took a peak inside with a text editor to see exactly how it made it and found the following: What ever parsed the commands threw out the quotes I put around file paths and tag details and even when they are reinserted back into the weu file, it acts like they don't exist when run with the -config switch. For example:
-input "F:\Conan Clips n Shows\Conan #2233 3-25-06\Conan 25.avs"
-output "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\Conan 2233.wmv"
-loadprofile "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\Conan.prx"
-pixelformat YV12
-v_compopt 1
-v_mslevel 4
-v_numthreads 2
-title "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
-author Cheech
-year 2006
-description "Jennifer Aniston, Harold Perrineau, Victor Varnado. Episode #2233, original air date 5-25-06."
This returns: "Invalid parameter: Clips" The clips its referring to is the first space in the file path F:\Conan Clips n Shows\.....

zambelli

3rd June 2006, 09:18

I found a more important bug (or so I think). I used the -s_config switch to save my options because I wasn't sure how the weu file should be setup. Anyway it made the weu file like it should have, I took a peak inside with a text editor to see exactly how it made it and found the following: What ever parsed the commands threw out the quotes I put around file paths and tag details and even when they are reinserted back into the weu file, it acts like they don't exist when run with the -config switch. For example:
Nice catch. Yeah, that's a problem that's been there since the original release. The issue was that command-line arguments would get parsed automatically by the VBScript engine (WScript object, actually), which took care of removing separator quotes. When the script tried to put the arrayed arguments back into a single string - the quotes weren't being reconstructed.
Anyway, I have a fix for it, but I need to test it some more. I have some other fixes on the way too, so I'll try to bundle those together and release an "unofficial" update later this month.

zambelli

26th August 2006, 00:51

I updated WMCmd.vbs with a fix for the config save/load issue. Sorry it took so long - I actually had the fix implemented more than a month ago, but ended up going on vacation and then getting caught up with work.

The download link on the first page has been updated.

8-25-2006:
----------
* Fixed a bug in configuration saving (-s_config) and loading (-config) functions
that prevented command-line parameters containing quotation marks from being
processed correctly.
* Added code to check whether specified video profile (-v_profile) is supported by
the video codec used (-v_codec). For example, can't use SP or MP with WVC1.

zambelli

9th January 2007, 00:23

Windows Vista users experiencing problems with WME9 scripting (WMcmd.vbs) can now install hotfix KB929182 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929182) to address the issue.

Dmitry Vergheles

10th January 2007, 13:54

Hi zambelli,

My question is concerning ASF to contain VC-1 video with B-Frames.

There is a well-known problem that ASF has to mux video samples with growing time stamps.

Video with B frames can't be such one.
There some tricks to put such a video to ASF.

The question is: does MS put own VC-1 to ASF using any standard approach or any tricks?

I have WMV sample encoded by WindowsMediaEncoder where there is no frames re-ordering present and WMWReader delivers video samples with increasing time stamps.

WMV DMO decoder decodes and presents video data without any flickering and frame drops.

That means it seems to reorders frames inside itself.

Any comments/suggestions/references?

Thanks in advance.

P.S I have already posted the same question to microsoft.public.windowsmedia.sdk and I'm sure Alessangro Angelli will give comprehensive but it would also be wanted to take an answer of MS official representative :)

zambelli

11th January 2007, 04:51

The question is: does MS put own VC-1 to ASF using any standard approach or any tricks?
I don't think any special tricks are used to handle B frames in ASF containers. After all, you could take the same DMO and encode with B-frames to AVI in DirectShow with the same result. The encoder DMO is container agnostic in that respect.

Dmitry Vergheles

11th January 2007, 09:06

I don't think any special tricks are used to handle B frames in ASF containers. After all, you could take the same DMO and encode with B-frames to AVI in DirectShow with the same result. The encoder DMO is container agnostic in that respect.

Actually video with B frames is saved to AVI using non standard methods.

Could you reference me to any MS doc where it is said how VC-1 with B-frames is put to ASF?

There is what MSDN says:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa391061.aspx
Putting MPEG-2 streams into ASF
Note This topic applies to applications that use the Windows Media Format
SDK to put MPEG-2 (or other compression formats that use B frames) into the
ASF file container.

2. Give the writer object "dummy" input time stamps that are always
increasing so that it will write the samples to the file in exactly the same
order as they are received. The dummy time stamps should correspond
approximately to the actual presentation times, as averaged over time. The
dummy time stamps will form the seeking timeline, so if they diverge
relative to the real time stamps, seek operations on the file will produce
unexpected results. However, a limited amount of jitter between the sample
times will not seriously affect seek operations.

Is this method suggested to make VC-1 ASF?

veffremov

13th January 2007, 06:40

Could you reference me to any MS doc where it is said how VC-1 with B-frames is put to ASF?

There is nothing magical about it. I would not suggest dummy timestamps. The timestamps need to correspond to the intended framerate. I send you some more details in "Mux VC-1 to ASF" thread.

You need to put the propper "ASF binding" byte in the mediatype to indicate that B-frames are present. Alex did send you details how to construct the private data after the bitmapinfoheader.

jubilex

9th March 2007, 18:13

On one of my machines, even the alternative method does not get the source duration, despite WMP 11 and WM Format 11 Runtime being installed. Any ideas?

zambelli

9th March 2007, 19:12

On one of my machines, even the alternative method does not get the source duration, despite WMP 11 and WM Format 11 Runtime being installed. Any ideas?
Can you make sure the .avs plays in WMP? First time it plays there's a security dialog that pops up asking about the unsupported format. Perhaps it got denied the first time.

jubilex

9th March 2007, 20:37

Yes, I can open AVS files in WMP 11 and they play back fine. However, I cannot associate .avs-es with WMP, I have to manually open them.

guada2

9th March 2007, 21:19

I have a little question;

Is it possible that VC-1 advanced stream have an extension .v9e?

Thanks!

zambelli

9th March 2007, 23:47

Yes, I can open AVS files in WMP 11 and they play back fine. However, I cannot associate .avs-es with WMP, I have to manually open them.
Hmm, that's odd. All the script does is initialize an invisible WMP ActiveX control, load the .avs, grab the duration and then release the ActiveX control. If the .avs plays in standalone WMP, it should play in embedded WMP too. Does it fail immediately to retrieve duration or does it wait 30 seconds before it moves on?

zambelli

9th March 2007, 23:49

I have a little question;
Is it possible that VC-1 advanced stream have an extension .v9e?
Elementary streams typically have a .vc1 extension. Is it not being recognized as a valid VC-1 ES?

jubilex

10th March 2007, 00:26

Hmm, that's odd. All the script does is initialize an invisible WMP ActiveX control, load the .avs, grab the duration and then release the ActiveX control. If the .avs plays in standalone WMP, it should play in embedded WMP too. Does it fail immediately to retrieve duration or does it wait 30 seconds before it moves on?

The first fails immediately, the "alternate method" fails after about 30 seconds and a string of periods.

zambelli

10th March 2007, 01:26

The first fails immediately, the "alternate method" fails after about 30 seconds and a string of periods.
That means .avs isn't playing in embedded WMP for some reason - the script is waiting for a play state and it's timing out after 30 seconds.

Can you verify this key exists in your registry?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Extensions\.avs

jubilex

10th March 2007, 03:38

Yes. Permission and Runtime both have a value of 1 (as they do on the PC that does retrieve the duration.

Out of curiosity, I set Permission to 32, and this time I (finally) got the "are you sure you want to open this" pop-up; I clicked yes and ticked the box for "don't ask again", but it still didn't get the duration, and when I refreshed the regedit screen, the value had gone back to 1.

guada2

10th March 2007, 10:04

@zambelli

Elementary streams typically have a .vc1 extension. Is it not being recognized as a valid VC-1 ES?

:thanks:
test1.v9e or test1.vc1 is the same.
I'm only changed the extension, and it play perfectly (Cinevision1.2).
Bye.

zambelli

10th March 2007, 21:35

Out of curiosity, I set Permission to 32, and this time I (finally) got the "are you sure you want to open this" pop-up; I clicked yes and ticked the box for "don't ask again", but it still didn't get the duration, and when I refreshed the regedit screen, the value had gone back to 1.
I'm really perplexed at this point. Short of debugging the script on your machine, I'm not sure there's anything else I can think of. :confused: